WIRELINE Issue 32 - Summer 2015

Introducing Deirdre Michie Deirdre Michie took the reins as chief executive of Oil & Gas UK on 1 May. Here, she chats to Wireline about her priorities for the trade association and tackling the challenges the industry faces.

a more sustainable future through safe cost and efficiency improvements. From a government perspective, establishing and maintaining a strong tripartite approach to maximising the economic recovery of oil and gas from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) is of the utmost importance, and we look forward to working closely with government and the new Oil and Gas Authority towards that aim.

Q: What is your top priority as chief executive of Oil & Gas UK? A: First and foremost, I’ll be looking at what Oil & Gas UK can do to help companies safely drive efficiency. We want to encourage co-operation to ensure industry delivers as much of the prize for the UK as possible. Oil & Gas UK speaks for the whole of the sector – we work to raise its positive profile and ensure a safe, sustainable and competitive North Sea industry

I’ll be looking at what Oil & Gas UK can do to help companies safely drive efficiency. We want to encourage co-operation to ensure industry delivers as much of the prize for the UK as possible. “

and thriving supply chain. I hope to continue the great work in this area. Q: What should the new UK Government’s priorities be? A: We look forward to working with the new UK Government, so that together we can promote and develop a sustainable future for the industry. Tax reforms announced in the government’s 2015 Budget and the setting up of the new regulator, the Oil and Gas Authority, will provide a strong foundation for the regeneration of the North Sea – and

Q: How do you see Oil & Gas UK’s role in the tripartite collaboration

between the industry, OGA and government advocated in the Wood Review?

A: I believe the role of Oil & Gas UK in supporting this industry’s cause has never been more important. We

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look forward to working with the OGA and government in a tripartite approach to maximise economic recovery of the UK’s substantial remaining oil and gas reserves. I hope that the OGA will be a highly effective catalyst for improvement by enabling full implementation of the Wood Report reforms as quickly as possible.

they are both great signs that, in relation to our sector, the government understands our challenges and will work with us in dealing with them. Building on this, I believe that the onus is now on our industry to work together to build

Image © iStock.com/mikeuk

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